Context

1. Course Readings - Performing Interactivity:

Dixon's article on interactivity in performance shaped the direction of our project. For the major part of the article, Dixon emphasized on the four different levels and categories of interactivity. We can rank in ascending order in relation to the “openness of the system and the consequent level and depth of user interaction”: Navigation, Participation, Conversation and Collaboration. Our project involved all levels of interaction, as the audience is directly involved in the direction of the performance.

2. Previous work - Tim's Dilemma: 

The performance "Generative Play" project that both of us were a member of was the main source of inspiration for this project. The goal was to create an interactive piece in which the audience would stay engaged by actively directing the performance. That project did not have too many choices for the audience, and some of them did not make much sense. A major advice that the staff and audience made last time was to have something more meaningful. That is why we decided to reflect on the community.

3. Dungeon Stompage (Research Project):

http://chooseyourstory.com/story/viewer/default.aspx?StoryId=12792

This is an online choose-your-own-adventure style of game that uses little animation but is rich in its storyline, which motivates the player to continue and finish the game. The various items are animated with pictures, which, when clicked on, would make the player use that item. Besides that, however, there isn’t really incorporation of media. Another downside is that the plot may be too long for an average player to effectively reach the ending.

4. strange Mickey Mouse/Donald Duck comic panel edit (Research Project)

http://data.whicdn.com/images/171009463/large.jpg

This is a random comic strip whose lines are replaced with philosophical questions. It is interesting that while Donald Duck’s worried look matches his new line, Mickey Mouse’s ominous smile fits even better with the harsh words that he is speaking. We can use a similar kind of irony in our project.

5. The Terrible Truth About Time Travel (Research Project)

http://www.collegehumor.com/post/7036566/the-terrible-truth-about-time-travel

This game closely resembles what I envision as the final product of our project. Instead of dry words, each choice would be animated with self-explanatory images. In addition to that, as we said in the proposal, the pictures would be actual comic strips, with the lines replaced.